Beat Happenings

Music news you can use

Service and Devotion: Nashville recording artist and Branson performer Kari Jo is workin' nine-to-five performing "The Lady Legends of Country," a tribute to Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Tanya Tucker. What a way to make a livin'! But in the case of Kari Jo, it's no takin' and all givin' as she lights up the Soundstage Theatre (2500 Sutton Avenue, Maplewood; 314-968-8070) on October 20 and 21 (and 27 and 28) at 8 p.m. each night. A portion of the $15 admission benefits the Homeless Veterans Center.

Motherfolker!: It's been a long week at work, and all you really want to do is clock out at five, head to the Schlafly Tap Room (2100 Locust Street; 314-241-2337; www.schlafly.com) and get totally folked up! Am I right?! Lucky for you, the Folk School of St. Louis is catering to your lush desires by presenting a staff and student showcase of bluegrass and folk music. Additional performers include Swing DeVille, Colleen Heine, Michael Jonas and Don Grahlherr, Ranger Dave Montgomery and the Strange Rangers, and more. Get folkin' on Thursday, October 19, at 7 p.m. $5.

Strum that ego: Everyone knows that guitars are a bit cocky, what with their mastery of the melody in most rock bands. Even so, they're sick of sharing the spotlight  which is why everyone's favorite instruments are staging a musical coup with the St. Charles Guitar Festival (www.stlguitar.com) at St. Charles Community College (4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Cottleville, Missouri; 636-922-8233). The three-day extravaganza of concerts, lessons, seminars and discussion kicks off on Friday, October 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building (on the SCC campus) with the Hanser-McClellan Guitar Duo, Ben Lacy and the Laclede String Quartet. Then on Saturday, October 21, at 8 p.m., Manuel Barrueco shows his guitar chops at Calvary Church (3998 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, Missouri; 636-939-4343).
 Kristyn Pomranz